The University of California, Merced, is the newest of the University of California system’s 10 campuses and the first American research university built in the 21st century. With more than 7,500 undergraduate and graduate students, UC Merced offers an environment that combines a commitment to diversity, inclusion, collaboration and professional development. With bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs, strong research and academic partnerships, and community involvement, the UC Merced campus is continually evolving and requires talented, knowledgeable and dynamic educators, researchers, management and staff.

Ranked among the best public universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, UC Merced is uniquely equipped to provide educational opportunities to highly qualified students from the San Joaquin Valley and throughout California. The campus enjoys a special connection with nearby Yosemite National Park, is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design, and supports the economic development of Merced and the region.

In Fall 2016, UC Merced broke ground on a $1.3 billion public-private partnership that is unprecedented in higher education. The Merced 2020 Project will nearly double the physical capacity of the campus by 2020, enhancing academic distinction, student success and research excellence. UC Merced has also built the Downtown Campus Center, a $33 million, three-story administrative building in the heart of Merced.

The individual serves as a central administrator and public representative for the NASA-MIRO Center at UC Merced, acting within the policies and procedures of the Center, the University, and the NASA corporate contract to achieve the Center’s goals and mission. The individual reports to the Director and works with all Associate Directors to implement the Center activities, including developing long-term educational plans, organizing conferences and other public forums and administering all finance, human resources, facilities and other operational related activities. As precedents and established rules and procedures may be non-existent or require continual refinement, the Manager’s ability to propose/implement new solutions to meet evolving needs will be crucial to his/her success. This requires that the Manager work collaboratively the Center investigators and demonstrate fairness, diplomacy and keen problem-solving abilities. Requirements imposed by the sponsor agency, NASA, may change over time. Therefore, the strategic plan and programmatic performance indicators must be continually assessed and reformulated to ensure compliance and sustain rapid progress. The manager will help to keep the Center on course and help to provide agility in defining immediate and long-term science targets, which may include realignment of scientific efforts or members.

Duties:

Education and outreach: Work with UCM STEM Center to coordinate outreach activities and interface with other units at UCM, as well as local community groups in the Central Valley. Enable student success through various programs and support activities.

Program Evaluation and Reporting: Schedule, coordinate and collect surveys on all areas of program activities for evaluation of program effectiveness and outcomes; collect and compile project reports as well as write-ups in regards to the non-research components of NASA reports.

Communication: In charge of updating Center news page, and design and develop publication materials such as quarterly newsletters/brochures to increase Center visibility. Inform stakeholders of the Center’s progress in a timely fashion. Serve as a liaison with campus Office of Communication, news media, and general public. Help to improve the visibility of the center and publicize latest developments.

Program Design: Design effective systems to assess Center education and training program. Develop personal plans for graduate students, particularly first-generation students and students from underrepresented groups; recommend changes to content, policies and procedures based on assessment and develop new programs based on new recommendations.

Sustainability: Work with Center leadership to identify and pursue funding opportunities. Organize fund raising activities with other University offices that target external sources, such as federal, industrial and private foundations.

Budgeting: Monitor expenditures to ensure proper execution of plans and expenses that follow written Center guidelines; drawdown in a timely fashion and no over-expenditure on any of the categories. Organize all expenditures into appropriate categories to facilitate review. Process Center-related reimbursement/payment requests in compliance with Center and NASA policy.

Required Qualifications:

• Graduate degree in engineering, science, or related field.• At least three years of experience with a research institute, academic institution, national laboratory or commercial organization working within a scientific research setting, preferably funded by federal agencies.• Strong ability to think creatively and independently on concepts requiring advanced analytical skills. • Excellent organization skills. • Well-developed oral and written communication skills.• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with diverse groups to achieve results.• Strong ability to work collaboratively with internal and external peers and managers. • Proven team-building and problem-solving skills.• Competence in large event planning and coordination and facilitation of substantive research through administrative means.• Have proven experience building relationships and the ability to communicate and set measurable goals with adults and scholars.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Academic background and experience in scientific research.• Solid fundraising experience.• Experience in dealing with research related-administrative matters. • Familiarity with STEM based education and research.• Experience in coordinating and managing multiple projects.• Ability to maintain focus and work with a team to meet deadlines. • Ability to anticipate and initiate action to promote efficient completion of task and achieve project/program goals.

Interested applicants are required to submit 1) a cover letter 2) curriculum vitae and 3) a list of three references with contact information including mailing address, phone number and e-mail address; this will be submitted through the Recruit system.

Salary is based on the University of California Academic Salary Scales. The specific level and step of the position will be dependent upon the experience and background of the selected candidate.

Review of applications will begin immediately. The deadline for applications is July 16, 2018, with applications continuing to be considered until the position is filled. Starting dates are negotiable.

The University of California, Merced is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer with a strong institutional commitment to the achievement of diversity among its faculty, students and staff. The University is supportive of dual career couples.

1) Graduate degree in engineering, science, or related field.2) At least three years of experience with a research institute, academic institution, national laboratory or commercial organization working within a scientific research setting, preferably funded by federal agencies.3) Strong ability to think creatively and independently on concepts requiring advanced analytical skills. 4) Excellent organization skills. 5) Well-developed oral and written communication skills.6) Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with diverse groups to achieve results.7) Strong ability to work collaboratively with internal and external peers and managers. 8) Proven team-building and problem-solving skills.9) Competence in large event planning and coordination and facilitation of substantive research through administrative means.10) Have proven experience building relationships and the ability to communicate and set measurable goals with adults and scholars.

Internal Number: JPF00673

About University of California, Merced

UC Merced is the first new American research university built in the 21st century, with a mission of research, teaching and service. The campus opened Sept. 5, 2005, in the San Joaquin Valley. The university is about an hour north of Fresno, two hours south of Sacramento, two hours southeast of San Francisco and the Silicon Valley, and 90 minutes west of Yosemite National Park.